Tinei successfully seized the title of "Queen," causing a tremor in the shogi world. Sora, the former holder of two titles, now holds only the "Women's Throne" (Joryū Oza), and thus "Queen Yashajin" was born. All media outlets praised the new Queen Tinei, but a significant number also commended Sora-san and her continuous efforts over five years. Well, her beautiful appearance plays a role, and her fan base does not change that easily. Though I believe Tinei's popularity will also increase in her own way.
Tinei achieved two milestones simultaneously: promotion to 2-Dan in the "Shoreikai" (Apprentice School) and obtaining a professional title. I want her to focus entirely on the Shoreikai for a while. However, there are people who will not allow this; they are the executives of the sponsoring company that organizes the "Women's Throne" tournament.
「Please, we want Yashajin Tinei-sensei in the Women's Throne tournament as well, at any cost!」
Now I remember, in the original story, Sora-san was somewhat forcibly compelled to take on the Women's Throne challenge, wasn't she? That is not the only reason, but the Shogi Federation President has changed to become the current "President Geikō." This means there has been a shift in policies within the shogi world.
「This is not something I decide; let us have Tinei choose for herself.」
「No, no, if Master "Ōki-sensei" decides, then things will proceed...」
「This is not something I decide; let us have Tinei choose for herself.」
「Ah, okay. I understand.」
Despite my repeated indirect refusals, the conversation did not seem to get through to them, so I decided to have Tinei choose directly. Thus, I went with the sponsoring company executives to the Yashajin mansion. As soon as we crossed the gate, men in black suits and sunglasses lined up on both sides and shouted in unison: 「Thank you for your hard work!!」 (Otsukare-sama desu). Since I have come here many times over the past year, I have gotten used to it, but the first-timers were stunned and began to tremble. I understand their feeling; I was like them at first.
『You have gotten used to it now to the point that you can reply to them with "Thank you for your hard work."』 (Ai)
(Yes. ... Is it enough to say "Thank you for your hard work"? I am supposed to be in a higher position than them, right?) (Ōki)
『No need to worry about that. Since you hold the title of "Sensei" (Teacher/Master), you have the right to say it even if you are younger than them.』 (Ai)
At the negotiation table, under the hawk-like gaze of "Hirotin-san" (Tinei's grandfather), the sponsoring company executives seemed completely swallowed by the awe of the situation. As soon as Tinei uttered two words: 「Not interested」, their desire and audacity to persuade vanished, and they obediently turned back. In any case, getting rid of annoying people lifts a weight off one's chest.
「By the way, why did you refuse? If you wanted to participate, you could have agreed.」 (Ōki)
「If Sora Ginko loses the "Women's Throne" title as well, I would have to perform her duties in her place, right? If that means my time will be consumed helping with interviews and events in return, it is more suitable for me that Sora Ginko remains the titleholder.」 (Tinei)
When I asked Tinei why she refused to participate in the Women's Throne tournament, the answer was that keeping Sora Ginko as the titleholder was more convenient for her interests. For a ten-year-old child like Tinei, balancing school, Shoreikai, and title matches, in addition to fulfilling the titleholder's obligations of interviews and events, is very arduous.
Therefore, she is pushing the burdensome parts onto Sora-san. This aspect of hers is starting to truly resemble me, her master, and conflicting feelings wrestle within me: a part that does not want her to inherit my "dirty" traits, and another part that feels relieved she will not be overly busy.
「Besides, I personally felt I would never like those executives.」 (Tinei)
「Well, I understand that. They were sticky and somewhat disgusting.」 (Ōki)
In the world of shogi, the relationship between master and pupil is like that of parent and child. It is inevitable that children resemble their parents, so I must also review my actions and words a little.
As a result of reviewing my actions, I went to answer President Geikō's summons, which I had consistently refused until now. ... No, I know the reason for the summons. I have a guess as to what he wants. That is why I used various excuses to refuse, but with the Queen match over, I ran out of justifications to evade.
「Ōga-san, restrain that foolish pupil over there.」 (President Geikō)
「Wait, President Geikō, I have been restrai-- Ouch ouch ouch ouch!」 (Ōki)
「Escaping is prohibited, right? How much do you intend to trouble the President, "Ōki-Sankan" (Triple Crown Holder)?」 (Ōga)
「But I hate signing the Dan Certificates (Menjō). My handwriting is bad and ugly.」 (Ōki)
「It is fine. Ōga-san says your handwriting is better compared to the "Ryū-Ō" (Dragon King). For now, you will write 300 sheets.」 (President Geikō)
The Shogi Federation issues "Dan Certificates" (Menjō), which are a relatively significant source of income. About 10,000 certificates are issued annually, and the Federation President, the "Meijin," and the "Ryū-Ō" must sign all of them. As for the rest of the professional players, the matter is somewhat random. However, there are many cases where highly popular players are asked to write.
For example, if an additional signature campaign for "Osho Oishi" is held, his signature will inevitably be added alongside those of the President, Meijin, and Ryū-Ō. In other words, if you do not become President, Meijin, or Ryū-Ō, this signing is not absolutely mandatory. Kozuryū, for instance, is forced to write 50 sheets every time he comes to the shogi hall, but with 10,000 certificates issued annually, it is unavoidable.
... Isn't it crazy that they are all handwritten? Moreover, in my case, there is inconsistency in the quality of my handwriting; the difference is terrible between the times I write well and the times I do not succeed. Since I cannot force President Geikō, the Meijin, and Kozuryū—all three of them—to rewrite because of me, the certificates are shipped even if the writing is ugly, as long as it is legible.
『If only I could move your body while writing, it would be fine.』 (Ai)
(You, "Ai," wouldn't even know whether the handwriting is beautiful or ugly. Though I have a vague impression that you would write beautifully.) (Ōki)
Furthermore, this writing process takes a very long time if you are not used to it. Kozuryū has been signing non-stop recently, perhaps due to the high volume of certificate requests. The reason likely stems from the Meijin being awarded the People's Honor Award, where the brush and inkstone were presented as commemorative gifts.
Perhaps they wanted to use this timing to launch an additional signature campaign for "Ōki-Sankan." A single certificate even for the 1-Dan rank costs
¥33,000
. If 300 certificates are issued, that means
¥9.9
million. And if they are all for the 4-Dan rank (priced at
¥77,000
), then 300 certificates mean
¥23.1
million. ... I say it again, this is a relatively large source of income for the shogi world.
『... Why is the handwriting slanting?』 (Ai)
(I don't know. Ah, Kozuryū's handwriting is slanted, so mine slanted under his influence.) (Ōki)
『You are in bad shape, Master, but Kozuryū is also in a tough state. The reason is that you both are using the calligraphy tools (brush and ink) you used in junior high school.』 (Ai)
(The beauty of handwriting does not change much with the change of tools, does it? ... Ah, it slanted again.) (Ōki)
『... In video games, you can control with extreme precision, so why isn't this defect, which only happens when writing, fixed?』 (Ai)
(Maybe because I train for games and try to become better at them?) (Ōki)
After a bitter struggle, I finished writing the 300 sheets. It takes time, and it is truly annoying. ... This year, due to the Meijin's fame, requests for more than 10,000 certificates will come in. As for Kozuryū, I pray for his soul. It is truly painful to have your ugly handwriting shipped and distributed all over Japan.
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